 August 13, 2002
The bill was passed during the Legislature's third special session that ended June 27 and was transmitted for the Governor's signature. Without reauthorization by the Legislature, the Commission would have "sunsetted" and had one year to disband. "The sole purpose of the RCA is to provide essential services to Alaskans at affordable rates," Knowles said. "There's no place in America where utilities are more basic to life and safety than Alaska." For example, Knowles said the RCA administers the Power Cost Equalization energy subsidy for rural Alaskans, ensures that rural telecommunications companies receive more than $70 million dollars a year in federal universal service support to provide basic services in high-cost areas, and advocates nationally to ensure funding to support the high cost of rural telecommunications services. According to the news release, reauthorization of the RCA was a hard-fought battle during the legislative session. The Legislature's own auditors gave the RCA a clean bill of health and urged a four-year extension, which the state House approved on a 38-1 vote during the regular session. However, a handful of state senators refused to take action on the bill, forcing lawmakers back into three special sessions. "It was gratifying to see the support offered by the majority of the businesses, consumer groups, and legislators we dealt with during this process," said RCA Chair Nan Thompson. "I appreciate the vote of confidence by the Governor and the Legislature in our work." The Commission, located in Anchorage, regulates Alaska's telecommunications, electric, garbage and water and sewer providers. It reviews proposed changes to the rates or terms of services offered to consumers to ensure services are delivered in an efficient, cost-effective manner.
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